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Jim Harbaugh has big plans for Ben Mason in 2019
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Jim Harbaugh isn’t afraid of utilizing talent. If he believes a player is capable of playing multiple positions on the field, he’s going to find a way to make it work.
Inset Ben Mason.
Mason, who played fullback for a majority of last season, finds himself in a situation where he’ll be on the field pretty frequently next fall, and at several different positions. The goal is to have him on the field as much as possible in 2019.
“We’re playing him both ways at three different positions,” Harbaugh said, according to Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News. “Feel like the fullback will be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations, predominantly, so we want to get Ben Mason on the field as much as possible. He’ll be playing defensive line, along with playing fullback, along with playing tailback. Will be a lot on his plate, we’ll see how he can handle it. I think he’s going to handle it really well.”
Harbaugh said he wants Mason to see between 60 and 70 snaps per game next season. That’s quite an increase from last year, when he averaged around 25 plays per contest.
This isn’t the first time Harbaugh has utilized an extraordinary athlete in multiple roles. In 2016, Jabrill Peppers played different positions for the Wolverines on both sides of the football and was also utilized as a specialist. That worked out well for both Michigan and Peppers.
Mason was named the team’s toughest player after the 2017 season, and he’s certainly living up to that title. And Harbaugh is looking forward to seeing how Mason thrives in his added roles.
“This could be a lot of fun with Ben Mason this spring, this fall,” Harbaugh said. “He’s great. He’s got the mindset that’s just perfect. Excited about it. Just really fired up to work with Ben. He’s got a bounce in his step every day he comes out to practice, the gleam in his eye. Champing at the bit to be out on the field more. Here you go. We’ve got all kind of ways to get Ben Mason on the field now.”
Last season, Mason had 33 carries for 80 yards and seven touchdowns at fullback.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB